Economics PhD student embraces teaching

December 02, 2025

By Anne MacLaurin

Economics PhD student, Janet Burlacu, loves the opportunity to show students the wide scope of topics found in economics.

"From health-related decisions to environmental stewardship to child care subsidies, we investigate some of the reasons why markets (people making choices) do not lead to optimal outcomes," says Burlacu.

Burlacu embraced the opportunity to teach recently as a challenge and opportunity for professional growth. She is also working on her PhD thesis, Care for Young and Old: The Economics of Child Care and Long-Term Care in Canada." Her thesis research is about how care is provided to young children and older adults through formal markets, for example, child care centre and long-term care homes.

Burlacu says it is a "privilege to study a topic that many people can relate to personally; everyone is caring for someone."

Burlacu started grad school with two children under the age of three years.

"It was important for my husband and me to be close to family on the island, and UVic has a wonderful economics department," says Burlau. "I am grateful to be surrounded by such thoughtful and creative teachers and researchers."